Apparatus and method of use for pulsatile blood flow

An apparatus and a method of use are disclosed which assist in pulsating blood to a patient during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and assists in weaning a patient after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery by counterpulsating. The apparatus includes a blood pump with a collapsible bladder and a bladder support ring with a plurality of openings to permit the entering of continuous flowing blood, the exiting of a pulsatile blood flow and the release of any air bubbles trapped within the blood supply. The pulsating blood flow is created by the compression of the collapsible bladder when filled with blood. The method consist of connecting the apparatus to the aortic return line of a cardiopulmonary bypass circuitry and to the aortic cannula of the patient. The apparatus is positioned near to the patient to maximize pulsatile output. Compression of the bladder can be synchronized to create the physiologic blood pressure of the patient or to counterpulsate with the patient's heart.